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Water rate hikes in Las Vegas getting close

Mayor splits tie vote

Residents will soon find out how Las Vegas, N.M. intends to solve its water problems.

Water rate hikes in Las Vegas getting close

Mayor splits tie vote

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Updated: 10:00 AM MDT Sep 11, 2012

LAS VEGAS, N.M. —

After years of talking about water rates going up in Las Vegas, it's very close to actually happening. On Monday afternoon, the mayor split a tie vote in favor of a rate hike plan.

Rates will go up the next two years, and then the council will vote at that point whether to raise them again for another two years. The increase is to address the city's emergency water shortage. According to the city's calculations, a typically family is now paying about $19 a month for water, and by 2014 their bill will be more than $26 a month.

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"People have to just sit down and realize that we can't do without water," Mayor Alfonso Ortiz said. "When we say,'Water is life,' and in Spanish we say, 'Agua es vida,' it's not just a cliché. This is the real, real thing."

The city's main dam and water pipes are leaking so badly that about half the water is lost by the time water leaves the reservoir and gets to homes. The city says $20 million will begin to fix the problem and ensure the community will have water.

City officials say it will take much more money and time to afford long-term, sustainable solutions. They're looking for state and federal help.

The City Council will officially vote on the proposal at its next meeting later this month. If approved, rates would go up in October.